In 1973, Buchli was assigned to a marine fighter attack squadron and sent to Thailand and, after completing that assignment, participated in the Marine Advanced Degree Program at the University of West Florida, in Pensacola, receiving his master s of science degree in aeronautical engineering systems in 1975. Buchli was then assigned to a fighter attack squadron in Beaufort, S.C., before attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Md., in 1977.
While serving as a naval test pilot, Buchli submitted his application to become a NASA astronaut, having met all the basic requirements. He was a U.S. citizen, held a master’s degree in an engineering-related field, had flown over 1,000 hours in a jet aircraft and was in excellent physical condition. However, becoming an astronaut was still a long shot because for the 35 slots that were open, there were 8,000 applicants.